Radiocarbon Releases At the Krško Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

Since 1991, radiocarbon analyses of exhaust air have been part of the regular radioactivity monitoring program at the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a Westinghouse 632 MWe pressurized water reactor (PWR). Activity of CO2 and hydrocarbons has been identified; the former contributes ca. 43%. A normalized release of total 14C of 0.219 TBqGWe−1a−1 was obtained. Indoor air 14C concentrations in selected rooms inside the plant have generally been <5 Bq m−3, although rare peaks of >1000 Bq m−3 may be reached. Tree rings have shown slight enhanced 14C activity due to the operation of the plant.